JP4343114B2 - Motor vehicle having an electric motor for propulsion capable of being supplied with electric energy - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an automobile having an electric motor for propulsion having means for changing an operation limit position of an accelerator pedal and capable of being supplied with electric energy from two different energy sources.

In particular, the present invention
When the reformer temperature is greater than or equal to the threshold temperature, from a first electrical energy source consisting of a fuel cell fueled by the reformer;
When the reformer temperature is lower than the threshold temperature, from a second electrical energy source consisting of an auxiliary battery;
An electric motor for propulsion supplied with electric energy,
Also has a movable A Kuserupedaru between rest position and the operating limit position, the operation limit position, the maximum mechanical supplied by the electric motor depending on the available electrical output based on an electrical energy supplied It corresponds to the output for motor vehicles.

An automobile driven by an electric motor can be advantageously supplied with electrical energy by a fuel cell.
A fuel cell mainly consists of two electrodes, an anode and a cathode, separated by an electrolyte. This type of fuel cell has the following oxidation-reduction reaction:
-Oxidation reaction of fuel continuously supplied to the anode; and-reduction reaction of auxiliary fuel supplied continuously to the cathode;
Makes it possible to directly convert the energy produced by
Fuel cells used in automobiles to supply electrical energy are of the type of solid electrolytes, especially polymer electrolytes. Such a fuel cell uses hydrogen (H ₂ ) and oxygen (O ₂ ) as a fuel and a combustion aid, respectively.
This type of fuel cell makes it possible to obtain, at the same time, efficiency, reaction time and operating temperature, which are generally satisfactory for supplying electricity to an electric motor for propulsion of a motor vehicle.
Fuel cells offer the advantage of discharging only water produced by a reduction reaction at the cathode, as opposed to heat engines that discharge a non-negligible amount of pollutants. Furthermore, atmospheric air in which the oxygen (O ₂ ) is reduced can be used as a combustion aid for the above type of fuel cell.
The cathode generally occurs during the inlet that allows a continuous supply of oxygen (O ₂ ) or air, the discharge of excess air or oxygen (O ₂ ), and the reduction of oxygen (O ₂ ) Has an outlet that allows water to drain. In general, the anode has an inlet through which hydrogen (H ₂ ) is introduced.

However, in the state of the present technology, a very large volume is required to mount pure hydrogen (H ₂ ) necessary for obtaining a comfortable cruising range in a vehicle.
In order to solve this problem, it is known to make hydrogen (H ₂ ) directly on the vehicle from hydrocarbons, especially conventional fuels such as gasoline and natural gas. Hydrogen (H ₂ ) is extracted from gasoline during an operation called reforming that requires a device called a reformer.
Gasoline is injected into the reformer along with water and air. The product made by reforming is mainly composed of hydrogen (H ₂ ), carbon monoxide (CO), carbon dioxide (CO ₂ ), oxygen (O ₂ ), and nitrogen (N ₂ ). This gas is called reformed fuel. The anode of the fuel cell is directly supplied with reformed fuel from the reformer.
In order to make such reformed fuel, the reformer needs to be heated and needs to be maintained at a temperature higher than the threshold temperature. For this reason, the reformer has a heating device. Below this threshold temperature, the reformer cannot supply hydrogen (H ₂ ) to the fuel cell, and therefore the fuel cell cannot produce electrical energy.
However, the threshold temperature is higher than the ambient temperature around the car. Therefore, when the reformer is cold, it takes a non-negligible time lasting several minutes to raise the temperature by the heating device. During this time, the electric motor cannot be powered from the fuel cell and the driver must wait patiently for the reformer to work so that the car can be used.

  It is known to equip a motor vehicle with an auxiliary battery to power the electric motor during the reformer heating time so that the driver can use the motor vehicle immediately after starting. In this way, when the reformer is heated, the electric motor is supplied with electrical energy from the auxiliary battery, and when the reformer reaches the threshold temperature, the source of electrical energy automatically changes from the battery to the fuel cell.

  However, such batteries generally cannot provide as much electrical output to the motor as a fuel cell. This has a significant effect on the maximum output that the motor can supply immediately, and thus on the driver's sense of operation.

  Generally, an automobile has an accelerator pedal that is movable between a stationary position and a maximum position so that a driver can control an electric motor. The maximum position corresponds to the maximum power supplied by the electric motor, depending on the electrical power that can be discharged from the fuel cell. The accelerator pedal can also occupy a threshold position between the rest position and the maximum position, corresponding to the maximum output that can be supplied when the electric motor is powered from the battery.

  When the driver operates the accelerator pedal from the stationary position to the threshold position when the electric motor is powered from the battery, a continuous increase in output occurs. Operating the accelerator pedal beyond the threshold position does not affect the output supplied by the electric motor, unlike when the electric motor is powered from the fuel cell.

  Furthermore, when the power supply to the electric motor automatically changes from the auxiliary battery to the fuel cell, if the accelerator pedal is operated beyond the threshold position, the electric motor is suddenly supplied with a larger electric output. . As a result, the sudden increase in power supplied by the electric motor surprises the operator or causes an accident.

US Pat. No. 6,644,939 B1 limits the amount of electrical energy required to start the reformer when a “quick-down” is detected during the start-up phase of the reformer and supplies it to the electric motor. A device is described that gives priority to the, increasing the amount of electrical energy distributed to the electric motor.
US Patent Document US-6447939B1

  An object of the present invention is to provide an improved automobile having means for changing the operation limit position of an accelerator pedal.

  According to the present invention, in an automobile of the type described in “Technical Field”, means for changing the operation limit position of the accelerator pedal according to a parameter representing an electric output that can be used to supply the electric motor is provided. An automobile having an electric motor for propulsion capable of being supplied with electric energy is provided.

According to other features of the invention:
The parameter representing the available electrical output is the temperature of the reformer;
The means for changing the operation limit position of the accelerator pedal when the temperature of the reformer is higher than the threshold temperature, the threshold position corresponding to an electrical output that can be released from the auxiliary battery; And the maximum position corresponding to the electrical output that can be supplied from the fuel cell;
The means for changing the operating limit position of the accelerator pedal is controlled by the driver's operation;
The means for changing the operating limit position of the accelerator pedal is controlled by the operation of the driver via a manual control device which is disabled as long as the temperature of the reformer is lower than the threshold temperature;
The means for changing the operation limit position of the accelerator pedal is operated when the accelerator pedal is located between the stationary position and an intermediate position located between the stationary position and the threshold position; Change the limit position;
The means for changing the operating limit position of the accelerator pedal automatically changes the operating limit position after a delay time;
The vehicle has means that are automatically and temporarily activated to increase the resistance of movement of the accelerator pedal from the threshold position to the maximum position;
The vehicle has a device for generating an alarm signal to alert the driver when the temperature of the reformer becomes higher than the threshold temperature;
The means for changing the operating limit position of the accelerator pedal is such that the movement of the accelerator pedal is restricted between the rest position and the threshold position, and the accelerator pedal can reach the maximum position; It has a pull-in stopper that is movable between the inactive state.

That is, an automobile having an electric motor for propulsion capable of being supplied with the electric energy of the present invention,
When the reformer temperature is greater than or equal to the threshold temperature, from a first electrical energy source consisting of a fuel cell fueled by the reformer;
  An electric motor for propulsion supplied with electric energy from a second electric energy source comprising an auxiliary battery when the temperature of the reformer is lower than the threshold temperature;
  An accelerator pedal that is movable between a stationary position and an operation limit position;
  Corresponds to the maximum mechanical output supplied by the electric motor according to the available electrical output based on the supplied electrical energy, and
  Depending on the parameter representing the electrical output available to supply to the electric motor,
  Means for changing the operation limit position of the accelerator pedal is provided.

  The parameter representing the available electrical output is the temperature of the reformer.

  Further, when the temperature of the reformer is higher than the threshold temperature, the means for changing the operation limit position of the accelerator pedal has a threshold value corresponding to an electric output at which the operation limit position of the accelerator pedal can be released from the auxiliary battery. The position and the maximum position corresponding to the electrical output that can be supplied from the fuel cell are switched.

  The means for changing the operation limit position of the accelerator pedal is controlled by a driver's operation.

  Further, the means for changing the operation limit position of the accelerator pedal is controlled by a driver's operation through a manual control device that is disabled as long as the temperature of the reformer is lower than the threshold temperature. And

  Further, the means for changing the operation limit position of the accelerator pedal is when the accelerator pedal is located between the stationary position and an intermediate position located between the stationary position and the threshold position. The operation limit position is changed.

  Further, the means for changing the operation limit position of the accelerator pedal automatically changes the operation limit position after a delay time.

  Further, it is characterized in that it has means that is automatically and temporarily operated to increase the resistance of movement of the accelerator pedal from the threshold position to the maximum position.

  Further, the present invention is characterized by having a device for generating an alarm signal for notifying the driver when the temperature of the reformer becomes higher than the threshold temperature.

  Further, the means for changing the operation limit position of the accelerator pedal includes an active state in which the movement of the accelerator pedal is restricted between the stationary position and the threshold position, and the accelerator pedal reaches the maximum position. It has a pull-in stopper that is movable between possible inactive states.

Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent upon reading the following detailed description, with reference to the accompanying drawings for understanding. In these diagrams:
FIG. 1 represents a schematic diagram of a vehicle implemented in accordance with the teachings of the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the accelerator pedal of the automobile shown in FIG. 1 equipped with a device for changing the operating limit position of the accelerator pedal in accordance with the teachings of the present invention;
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the accelerator pedal and the device for changing the operation limit position of the accelerator pedal, cut along the 3-3 cross section of FIG.
4 is a diagram showing a flow of operation of the automobile shown in FIG. 1;
FIG. 5 represents the accelerator pedal of FIG. 2 equipped with a variant of the device for changing the operating limit position of the accelerator pedal;
6a is a cross-sectional view taken along section 6-6 of FIG. 5 showing a device for changing the operating limit position of the accelerator pedal in the active state;
FIG. 6b is a view similar to FIG. 6a showing a device for changing the operating limit position of the accelerator pedal in the semi-active state;
FIG. 6c is a view similar to FIG. 6b showing the accelerator pedal operated beyond the threshold position;
FIG. 6d is a view similar to FIG. 6a showing a device for changing the operating limit position of the accelerator pedal in the inactive state.

  In the following description, the vertical, vertical, and horizontal directions represented by the three directions L, V, and T in FIG. 2 are used without limitation.

  FIG. 1 shows a schematic diagram of an automobile 10 having an electric motor 12 for propulsion. The automobile 10 further includes an auxiliary battery 14 and a fuel cell 16. The fuel cell 16 can continuously supply electric energy to the electric motor 12.

  The electric power supply circuit of the electric motor 12 represented by a thin line has a selection switch 18 for selecting a source of electric energy of the electric motor 12. The selector switch 18 can occupy a primary position 18 a where the fuel cell 16 supplies electrical energy to the electric motor 12, or a secondary position 18 b where the auxiliary battery 14 supplies electrical energy to the electric motor 12. . An inverter 20 is provided in the power supply circuit between the selection switch 18 and the electric motor 12.

The fuel cell 16 has already been described in the introduction. The fuel cell 16 is supplied with an auxiliary combustor, here oxygen O ₂ , and fuel, here hydrogen H ₂ , from a supply circuit represented by a bold line in FIG.
The fuel cell 16 is supplied with a combustion aid from the air compressor 21.
The fuel cell 16 is supplied with fuel from a reformer 22 that extracts hydrogen H ₂ from a hydrocarbon such as gasoline. The hydrocarbons supplied to the reformer 22 are stored in the reservoir 24.
The reformer 22 is heated and needs to be maintained at a temperature equal to or higher than a threshold temperature Ts for enabling operation. For this reason, the reformer 22 has a heating device (not shown).

As already described in the introduction, the threshold temperature Ts of the reformer 22 is higher than the ambient temperature around the automobile 10. Therefore, when the driver starts the cold automobile 10, a non-negligible time lasting several minutes is required to heat the reformer 22 in order to raise the temperature of the reformer 22 to the threshold temperature Ts.
Accordingly, the reformer 22 includes a temperature sensor 26 that transmits a signal representing the temperature Tm of the reformer 22 to the electronic control device 28. The signal exchange wiring for transmitting and receiving signals via the electronic control unit 28 is indicated by a chain line in FIG.
The electronic control unit 28 receives the measured temperature Tm of the reformer 22 and compares the temperature Tm of the reformer 22 with the threshold temperature Ts. as a result:
If the temperature Tm of the reformer 22 is lower than the threshold temperature Ts, the electronic control unit 28 selects the sub-position 18b of the selection switch 18;
- temperature Tm of reformer 22 is at a high squid equal than the threshold temperature Ts, the electronic control unit 28 selects a primary position 18a of the selection switch 18.

  A vehicle compartment (not shown) of the automobile 10 has a stationary position P0 corresponding to zero output supplied from the electric motor 12 and a maximum supplied from the electric motor 12 when the electric motor 12 is supplied with power from the fuel cell 16. An accelerator pedal 30 is mounted so as to be rotatable between a maximum position P2 corresponding to the output. In this manner, the accelerator pedal 30 enables the driver to operate the output supplied from the electric motor 12 in proportion to, for example, the change in the angle of the accelerator pedal 30.

  The accelerator pedal 30 can also occupy a threshold position P1 provided between the rest position P0 and the maximum position P2. The threshold position P1 corresponds to an output that can be supplied by the electric motor 12 when the electric motor 12 is powered by the auxiliary battery 14. In other words, when the electric motor 12 is supplied with power from the auxiliary battery 14, the output supplied from the electric motor 12 remains constant even when the position of the accelerator pedal 30 exceeds the threshold position P1.

The operating principle of the accelerator pedal 30 is as follows.
The position sensor 32 of the accelerator pedal 30 sends a signal representing the position of the accelerator pedal 30 to the electronic control unit 28. The electronic control device 28 sends a signal to the inverter 20. This signal is supplied to the inverter so that the selected source of electrical energy, i.e. the auxiliary battery 14 or the fuel cell 16, supplies the electrical energy required by the electric motor 12 to provide the required mechanical output. 20 is for “commanding”.

  In the following description, a limit position where the driver can step on the accelerator pedal 30 before reaching the stopper is referred to as an operation limit position of the accelerator pedal 30.

In accordance with the teachings of the present invention, the vehicle 10 is a device 34 for changing the operating limit position of the accelerator pedal 30, particularly between the rest position P0 and the maximum position P2, or between the rest position P0 and the threshold position P1. And a device 34 for limiting the movement of the accelerator pedal 30.
Now, the accelerator pedal 30 equipped with the device 34 will be described with reference to FIGS.
The accelerator pedal 30 is mainly composed of a vertical crank 36 as a whole, which is provided with a footrest 38 for receiving a force applied by a driver's foot at a lower end. The upper end of the crank 36 is mounted about a lateral axis A so as to be rotatable relative to the structure of the automobile.

1 by the embodiment lever, the upper tip of the crank 36 of the present invention, has a head 40 which generally longitudinal elongated grooves 42 are formed. The front end of the groove 42 is for cooperating with a pull-in stopper 46 connected to the structure of the vehicle 10 so as to limit the movement of the accelerator pedal 30 between the rest position P0 and the threshold position P1.
The pull-in stopper 46 is connected to the structure of the automobile 10 and is slidably mounted in a lateral direction in a box 48 disposed in the vicinity of the head 40 of the accelerator pedal 30.
The pull-in stopper 46 is controlled by an electromagnet 50 disposed in the box 48. The electronic control unit 28 moves the pull-in stopper 46 via the electromagnet 50, in particular in the following two states:
An active state in which the retracting stopper 46 can cooperate with the front face 44 of the groove 42 so as to limit the movement of the accelerator pedal 30 between the rest position P0 and the threshold position P1 (shown in FIG. 3). And an active state in which the threshold position P1 is the operation limit position of the accelerator pedal 30; and-pulling in so as to allow movement of the accelerator pedal 30 between the rest position P0 and the maximum position P2. A non-active state in which the stopper 46 is retracted by lateral sliding in the right direction of FIG. 3 and the maximum position P2 is an operation limit position of the accelerator pedal 30;
Control during.

Now, the function of the automobile 10 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.
In step E1, the driver starts the automobile 10. Next, in step E2, the temperature sensor 26 supplies the temperature Tm of the reformer 22 to the electronic control unit 28. At this time, the electronic control unit 28 has the temperature Tm together with the threshold temperature Ts of the reformer 22.

If the temperature Tm of the reformer 22 is lower than the threshold temperature Ts, the electronic control unit 28 activates the limiting stage E3. In the limiting stage E3, the electronic control unit 28 selects the sub position 18b of the selection switch 18 so that the electric motor 12 is supplied with power from the auxiliary battery 14.
When the limit switch E3 and thereafter the selection switch 18 is in the sub position 18b, the electronic control unit 28 activates the pull-in stopper 46 so that the operation limit position of the accelerator pedal 30 corresponds to the threshold position P1.
In this way, when the driver operates the accelerator pedal 30, the accelerator pedal 30 freely moves between the stationary position P0 and the threshold position P1 unless the groove 42 is restricted by the pull-in stopper 46. .
When the driver operates the accelerator pedal 30 to the threshold position P1, the front surface 44 of the groove 42 is stopped by the pull-in stopper 46, and at this time, the accelerator pedal 30 is at the operation limit position.

When the temperature Tm of the reformer 22 is higher than or equal to the threshold temperature Ts, the electronic control unit 28 activates a warning stage E4 for the driver. In the warning phase E4, the driver indicates that an energy source having a capacity larger than that of the auxiliary battery 14, that is, the fuel cell, is available by means not shown, for example, lighting of an indicator lamp on an automobile dashboard or an acoustic signal. Be warned by.
In the opening stage E5 subsequent to the warning stage E4, the electronic control unit 28 controls the selection switch 18 to be positioned at the main position 18a so that power is supplied from the fuel cell 16 to the electric motor 12.
Next, when the selection switch 18 is positioned at the main position 18a, the electronic control unit 28 selects the inactive state of the pull-in stopper 46 so that the operation limit position of the accelerator pedal 30 corresponds to the maximum position P2. Therefore, the accelerator pedal 30 can freely move between the stationary position P0 and the maximum position P2.

  According to another embodiment of the present invention, in the opening phase E5, the electronic control device 28 is in an inactive state of the pull-in stopper 46 only after, for example, a delay time of a few seconds after the indicator lamp is lit. Do not select. In this way, the driver who is warned by the display lamp is given time to notice that the operation limit position of the accelerator pedal 30 is changed, and the possibility of inadvertently depressing the accelerator pedal 30 is reduced.

According to another embodiment of the invention, during the opening phase E5, the transition of the pull-in stopper 46 to the inactive state is not only dependent on the temperature Tm of the reformer 22, but also on the position of the accelerator pedal 30. Is also controlled accordingly. That is, the pull-in stopper 46 is in the following state:
The temperature Tm of the reformer 22 is higher than or equal to the threshold temperature Ts;
The accelerator pedal 30 is located between the rest position P0 and an intermediate position P1 ′ located inside the threshold position P1;
Only in the inactive state.
Therefore, when the electric motor 12 is supplied with power from the auxiliary battery 14 and the driver maintains the force against the accelerator pedal 30 so that the accelerator pedal 30 is stopped at the operation limit position (that is, the threshold position P1). When the selector switch 18 shifts from the sub position 18b to the main position 18a, the driver depresses the accelerator pedal 30 before the accelerator pedal 30 is newly movable between the threshold position P1 and the maximum position P2. The force on the accelerator pedal 30 must be relaxed so that it is located at the intermediate position P1 ′.
In this way, even if the driver is careless about the display lamp, the accelerator pedal 30 is not inadvertently depressed beyond the threshold position P1.

According to another embodiment of the invention, during the opening phase E5, the electronic control device 28 is interposed between the pull-in stopper 46 located in the compartment of the automobile 10 and a manual control device. (Not shown) is controlled.
As long as the temperature Tm of the reformer 22 is lower than the threshold temperature Ts, the manual control device is stopped or invalidated by the electronic control device 28, so that the driver cannot operate the manual control device.
When the temperature Tm of the reformer 22 is higher than or equal to the threshold temperature Ts, the electronic control device 28 activates the manual control device. Therefore, the driver who is warned by the lighting of the display lamp manually starts the manual control device for starting the transition to the deactivation of the pull-in stopper 46 himself.
The manual control device is, for example, a push button electrically connected to the electronic control device 28.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, the pull-in stopper 46 can be temporarily in a semi-active state. The semi-active state is intended to be started during the opening phase E5, in which the driver moves the accelerator pedal 30 between the threshold position P1 and the maximum position P2 so that the driver has a pull-in stopper. More force needs to be applied to the footrest 38 of the accelerator pedal 30 than is required when 46 is inactive.
This embodiment requires a modification 52 of the device 34 for changing the operating limit position of the accelerator pedal as shown in FIGS. This variation is illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6a-d.
Now, the structural differences between the deformation 52 and the previously described device 34 will be described.

The pull-in stopper 46 here has a lateral protrusion 54. The protrusion 54 is fixed so that the pull-in stopper 46 is fixed to the box 48 when the front surface 44 of the groove 42 of the accelerator pedal 30 is brought into contact with the pull-in stopper 46 when the pull-in stopper 46 is in the active state. , For engaging with the support 55 connected to the box 48.
The box 48 is provided with a generally vertical opening 56. The opening 56 is longitudinal when the pull-in stopper 46 is in a semi-active state when the pull-in stopper 46 is movable relative to the box 48 and the accelerator pedal 30 is moved between the threshold position P1 and the maximum position P2. It is for guiding the pull-in stopper 46 that slides in the direction.
The box 48 also has a compression spring 58 on which the retraction stopper 46 is supported, in a generally longitudinal orientation with respect to the direction shown in FIG. The compression spring 58 is intended to increase the resistance against the force applied to the accelerator pedal 30 by the driver when the pull-in stopper 46 is in a semi-active state, and particularly to apply an additional force. Furthermore, the compression spring 58 allows the pull-in stopper 46 to be elastically pulled back to the position occupied by the active or inactive state.
Box 48 includes an electromagnet 50 that controls a lateral shaft 60 having a groove 62 for receiving a longitudinal protrusion 64 supported by the retracting stopper 46 to allow lateral movement of the retracting stopper 46. Have.

Now, the function of the modification 52 of the device 34 for changing the operation limit position of the accelerator pedal will be described with reference to FIGS.
FIG. 6a shows the deformation 52 in the active state.
The pull-in stopper 46 is fixed to the box 48 by a support portion 55 that is inserted into the groove 42 and immobilizes the protrusion 54. Therefore, the movement of the accelerator pedal 30 is limited between the rest position P0 and the threshold position P1.

6b and 6c show the deformation 52 in the semi-active state. Electromagnet 50, the shaft 60, in the direction of the arrow in 6b, the to execute the movement of the first lateral. The shaft 60 and the pull-in stopper 46 remain connected by fitting the protrusion 64 into the groove 62. The pull-in stopper 46 is still inserted into the groove 42, but the pull-in stopper 46 is moved to the right so that the protrusion 54 does not approach the support portion 55.
In this way, as shown in FIG. 6b, when the driver operates the accelerator pedal beyond the threshold position P1, the front surface 44 of the groove 42 of the accelerator pedal 30 applies the force of the accelerator pedal 30 to the pull-in stopper 46. introduce. The pull-in stopper 46 can no longer be stopped by the support 55 and can therefore move freely in the opening 56 of the box 48. The longitudinal movement of the pull-in stopper 46 causes the compression spring 58 to be compressed, and the compression spring 58 exerts a reaction force on the pull-in stopper 46 and thus the accelerator pedal 30.
When the accelerator pedal 30 is returned to the threshold position P1, the protrusion 64 is newly engaged in the groove 62 of the shaft 60. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 6d, the deformation 52 of the device 34 for changing the operation limit position of the accelerator pedal can be deactivated. The electromagnet 50 acts on the shaft 60 so that the shaft 60 performs a second lateral movement to the right. Thus, the shaft 60 drives the pull-in stopper 46 laterally along the direction of the arrow in FIG. 6d so that the pull-in stopper 46 is entirely open out of the groove 42. Therefore, the accelerator pedal 30 can move between the stationary position P0 and the maximum position P2.
According to this embodiment, when the temperature Tm of the reformer 22 is higher than or equal to the threshold temperature Ts, the electronic control device 28 temporarily selects the semi-active state of the pull-in stopper 46. In this way, the driver feels that the driver can operate beyond the threshold position P1 of the accelerator pedal 30, but the driver needs to apply a conscious force to overcome the resistance of the compression spring 58. .
Several seconds after the stopper 46 shifts to the semi-active state, the electronic control unit 28 commands the stopper 46 to shift to the non-active state, and the driver is aware of the increase in the output that the electric motor 12 can supply. Can do.

  It will be appreciated that the mechanically simple invention can be constructed by variations of the implementation of the invention.

1 is a schematic diagram of a vehicle implemented in accordance with the teachings of the present invention. 2 is a view of the accelerator pedal of the automobile shown in FIG. 1 equipped with a device for changing the operating limit position of the accelerator pedal according to the teachings of the present invention. It is sectional drawing with the apparatus which changes the operation limit position of an accelerator pedal and an accelerator pedal cut | disconnected in the 3-3 cross section of FIG. It is a figure which shows the flow of operation of the motor vehicle shown by FIG. FIG. 3 is a diagram of the accelerator pedal of FIG. 2 equipped with a modification of the device for changing the operating limit position of the accelerator pedal. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along section 6-6 in FIG. 5 showing a device for changing the operation limit position of the accelerator pedal in the active state (6a), the semi-active state (6b, 6c), and the inactive state (6d). .

Claims (10)

When the temperature (Tm) of the reformer (22) is higher than or equal to the threshold temperature (Ts), from a first electrical energy source consisting of a fuel cell (16) fed with fuel from the reformer (22);
-When the temperature (Tm) of the reformer (22) is lower than the threshold temperature (Ts), the electric motor for propulsion supplied with electric energy from the second electric energy source consisting of the auxiliary battery (14) ( and 12),
Between a quiescent position (P0) and an operation limit position (P1, P2) and a movable accelerator pedal (30),
Depending on the available electrical output based on the electrical energy to be supplied sheet, corresponding to the maximum mechanical power supplied by said electric motor (12), and,
Depending on the parameter (Tm) representing the electrical output available to supply to the electric motor (12),
An electric motor for propulsion capable of being supplied with electric energy, characterized in that means (34, 52) for changing the operation limit position (P1, P2) of the accelerator pedal (30) is provided. Car having.   The propulsion electric motor capable of being supplied with electric energy according to claim 1, characterized in that the parameter representing the available electric power is the temperature (Tm) of the reformer (22). Car with. When the temperature (Tm) of the reformer (22) is higher than the threshold temperature (Ts), the means (34, 52) for changing the operation limit position (P1, P2) of the accelerator pedal (30) is the accelerator. The operation limit position of the pedal (30) is set to a threshold position (P1) corresponding to an electrical output that can be released from the auxiliary battery (14), and a maximum position ( The vehicle having an electric motor for propulsion capable of being supplied with electric energy according to claim 2, wherein the electric motor is switched to P2).   The means (34, 52) for changing the operation limit position of the accelerator pedal (30) can be supplied with electric energy according to claim 3, characterized in that the means (34, 52) is controlled by the operation of the driver. With an electric motor for proper propulsion.   The means (34, 52) for changing the operation limit position of the accelerator pedal (30) is disabled as long as the temperature (Tm) of the reformer (22) is lower than the threshold temperature (Ts). The vehicle having an electric motor for propulsion capable of being supplied with electric energy according to claim 4, wherein the electric motor is controlled by an operation of a driver through a vehicle.   The means (34) for changing the operation limit position of the accelerator pedal (30) is such that the accelerator pedal (30) is located between the stationary position (P0), the stationary position (P0), and the threshold position (P1). The propulsion device capable of being supplied with electric energy according to claim 4, characterized in that the operation limit position is changed when it is located between the intermediate position (P1 ') located at Automobile with an electric motor.   The means (34) for changing the operating limit position of the accelerator pedal (30) is supplied with electrical energy according to claim 3, characterized in that the operating limit position is automatically changed after a delay time. A vehicle having an electric motor for propulsion that can be used.   Having automatically and temporarily actuated means (52) for increasing the resistance of movement of the accelerator pedal (30) from the threshold position (P1) to the maximum position (P2). An automobile having an electric motor for propulsion capable of being supplied with electric energy according to claim 3.   The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a device for generating an alarm signal to alert a driver when the temperature (Tm) of the reformer (22) is higher than the threshold temperature (Ts). An automobile having an electric motor for propulsion capable of being supplied with the electric energy according to any one of 8.   The means (34) for changing the operation limit position of the accelerator pedal (30) is an active state in which the movement of the accelerator pedal (30) is restricted between the stationary position (P0) and the threshold position (P1). And a retractable stopper (46) movable between an inactive state in which the accelerator pedal (30) can reach the maximum position (P2). An automobile having an electric motor for propulsion capable of being supplied with the electric energy according to any one of the above.

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